Venetian blind or shade.



PATENTBD JUNE 18, 19o? w. B. HUGHES.

VENETIAN BLIND 0R SHADE. PPLIOATIOH FILED 9012.1. 190s.

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2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

No. 857,066. PATENTED JUNE 18, 1907 W. B. HUGHES.

VENBTIAN BLIND 0R SHADE.

APPLIOATION FILED ooT. 1, loos.

asume-SHEET 2A WJ TNESSES.-

Alorney 4UNITED l STATES WALLACE B. HUGHES, 0E DAMAS, TEXAS.

, VENETIAN BLIND on SHADE.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented June 18, 1907.

Application filed Qotober 1,1906- Seril N0- 335,945.

Improvements in Venetian Blinds or Shades,

of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompany.

in drawing.I

his invention relates to improvements in an inside blind or shade for a window, and particularly to that class commonly known as Venetian blinds or shades.

' The object of the invention is the provision olf means for facilitating the closing of the s ats.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means for facilitating the raising of the blind or shade.

With these'and other objects in View, the invention consists of certain novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is an elevated, front view of a blind or shade constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a. view taken on line 2, 2, Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow, ot' the wormgear device, which is secured to the primaryr member or roller. Fig. 3 is a view taken on Y line 3, 3, Fig. 1, looking in the direction ofthe arrow, of the worm-gear device for actuating the auxiliary member or roller. Fig. 4 is aview in elevation, of anembodiment of the invention, in which the sections of the primary roller are connected by integral portions. Fig. 5 is a view of another embodiment of the invention, in which the sections are` connected by, preferably, a metallic strip. Fig. Gis a transverse, sectional view taken on l1ne 6', 6, Fig. 5, looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 7 is a detail view of one of the gear-wheels and a ortion of the sprocket-chain employed in lifting the blinds.

The generic structure of my invention involves the positioning of an auxiliary, rotatable roller within a primary member, preferably a roller. The primary member or roller is capable of rotary movement, and for actuating these members or rollers, I preferably emp oy independent worm-gear devices. The slats are opened and closed by the primary member or outer roller, while the inner or auxiliary roller raises or permits the blind to be lowered.

For a more complete understanding pf the differentembodiments of my invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings, in which 1 designates the frame of the window, constitutin a su port. Brack# ets 2Fig. 3, are secure to t 1e inside of the frame near its upper end, and sup orted u on these brackets is an auxiliary roller 3. he auxiliaryroller 3 is journaled at its ends within the notches 4 of the brackets 2. Revolubly mounted upon the auxiliary member or roller is a primary member or roller 5. The primary member or roller 5 is preferably substantially elliptical-shape in cross-section, Figs. 2 and 3, and comprises three sections 6, 7, and 8. These sections are integrally connected by strips 9, which strips 9 are formed in pairs.

Fixedly secured to the auxiliary roller 3 and between each two of the sections 6, 7, and8, is a spool 10. Each of the spools 10 is rovided with sides and a hub portion 11, ig. 3. A horizontal pin 12 is preferably secured to each oil the spools, and a tape 13 is secured to the pin, in each instance. The tapes 13 extend through apertures .formed in all of the slats 13, Fig. 6. The lower ends of the tapes are fixedly secured preferably to the bottom of the lower' Slat, so that when the tapes 13 are wound upon the spools 10, the blinds or shades will be raised. Fixedly secured to the primary member or outer roller 9 are bands 14, which bands are connected by horizontal strings 15. The slats 13u rest u on the horizontal strings 15, and when the ands 14 on one side of the blind are raised and the bands on the opposite side are lowered, the blinds will be tilted or closed. 4By movin the bands 14 -so as to place the slats 13a 1n a horizontal position, the blind will be opened.

Positioned at one end of the primary member or roller 5, and the auxiliary roller 6, is a worm-gear device, which devices are manipulated for imparting rotary movement to said members or rollers 3 and 5. The Worm-gear device for actuating the inner or auxiliary roller 3 is clearly depicted in Fig. 3, and reference will be had more particularly to this figure in the following specific description of said means for actuating the roller 3. A. disk gear 16 is iixedly secured to the roller 3 near one end, preferably, through the medium of a collar 17, Figs` 4 and 5. This gear is provided with teeth erirely around its periphery, and the teeth nesh IOO IIO

with the Worm 18 formed on the Worm-shaft 19. The shait 19 is journaled in a- Substantiall y U-shaped bracket 20, which bracket is secured in a horizontal position to the frame 1 near its upper end. The shaft 19 preferably extends beyond the sides of the bracket 20, and to one of the extended ends of shaft 19, a gear-wheel is secured, outside of the frame 1. Agear-wheel 22 is secured to the frame 1 near its lower end, and an endless sprocket-chain 23 is ositioned upon gear Wheels 21 and 22. A. andle or crank 22 is secured to gear-wheel 22. When rotary movement is imparted to the gear-wheels, and, consequently, through the medium of the worm 18, to the gear 16, the auxiliary inner roller 3 will be rotated for either winding or unwinding tapes 13. The ta es will be wound upon the spools 10, secure to thev auxiliary roller 3. The spools 10 are of less dia meter than the width or diameter of the primary member or roller .5, thereby placing said spools within the edges to which the bands 13 are secured. The utility oi.I winding the tapes 13 upon the auxiliary roller 3, between the sections of the primary member or roller will be hereinafter disclosed.

Referring particularly to Fig. 2, the disk gear 24 is ixedly secured, by any suitable means, as for instance, screws 25, to one end of the primary member or roller 5. The gear 24 has teeth formed only upon one-half of its periphery. By only providing. teeth upon one-half of the periphery of the gear 24, suilcient rotary movement may be imparted to said gear to close or open the slats without injuring the bands 14, as it is to be noted that if unlimited, rotary movement could be imparted to the gear 24, the prmary member or roller 5 would be entirely revolved, thereby destroying its utility. The

bracket 20 is secured to the frame near its upper end, and shaft 19 is journaled in said bracket,which shaf t is provided with, the Worm 18. The worm 18 meshes with the teeth of the gear 24. Theendless c'ord 23 is placed upon the pulley Wheel 21 and Spool 22.

In Fig. 4, I have depicted another embodiment of my invention, in which the sectional, primary member or outer roller 26 is formed, preferably, of wood, although, of course, other material may be employed in 'the construction thereof. The sections 27, 28, and

29 of the roller 26 are connected by integral strips 30. By reason of forming the primary members or outer rollers in sections, and particularly roller 26, a considerable space is provided for winding the tapes 13 u on the inner or auxiliary roller 3. y Win ing the tapes 13 upon the auxiliary roller 3, there will not be any interference with the actuation of the bands 14, which bands are positioned upon the roller 26, so as to hide or cover the open s ace between the sections in which thewwoun tapes are positioned. The

bands 14 are referably secured at their u per ends to t e connecting portions 30. It will, therefore, be obvious that the bands 14 constitute a iexible covering, partially in closing the ta es 13. This arrangement produces not on y a durable structure, but also one that is com act. For imparting rotary movement to t e rimary roller 26, any means may be emplioyed, but I preferably use a worm-gear device, whichactuates said roller through the medium of the gear 24. For imparting rotary movement to the auxiliaryroller 3, positioned within the primary roller 26, I also use a worm-gear device, which imparts rotary movement to said roller through the medium of the gear 16. The ends of the auxiliary roller 3, Fig. 4 are journaled in brackets, the same as the similar roller in the embodiment depicted in Fig. 1.

In Figs. 5 and 6, the sections 27 28', and 29 of the primary, sectional roller 26 are secured together, referably, by a single, metallic strip 31, which strip is transversely curved, Fig. 6. The stri 31 is secured to the sections by any suitab e fastening means. By employing a metallic strip, considerable more space may be utilized between the sections of the roller for the coiled tapes 13. The bands 14 are secured to the primary roller over the opening formed between each two sections, and in which the spools 1 1 are secured to the auxiliary roller 3. Through the medium of the gears 16` and 24, the auxiliary roller 3 and the primary roller 28 are actuated, res ectvely. It is to be noted that one of t e rollers revolves within the other, 4and that both members or rollers are ositioned u on the same axis. The space etween eac two sections of the primary member or'roller constitutes a tape-receiving compartment, and by reason of the peculiar positioning of the bands 14, they partly surround the wound or coiled tapes, as well as partly cover the ta e-receiving compartments. It is also to e noted that the two contiguous ends of each two sections of the primary roller constitutes the sides of a spool for guiding the tape as it is wound, and

ITO

retaining said tape in a wound condition upon the auxiliary roller.

While I have shown in the accompanying drawings a roller formed of three sections, of course, it will be obvious that a roller having more than three sections may be employed.

What I claim is:

1. In a device of the character described, the combination with a pair of brackets, an auxiliary roller engaging and journaled upon said brackets, of a sectional roller positioned between said brackets and of less length than said auxiliary roller, the sectional roller engaging and journal'ed upon the periphery of said auxiliary roller, each two sections ofthe sectional roller provided with a tape-receiving compartment formed between their contiguous ends, blind-lifting means positioned I iliary roller engaging and journaled at its 5c within said compartment and iixedly secured to and adapted to be wound upon said auxiliary roller, and means connecting the sections of said sectional roller.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination with brackets, an auxiliary roller engaging and journaled upon said` brackets, of a sectional roller of less length than and carried entirely by said auxiliary roller, said sectional roller of greater width than the auxiliary roller and journaled upon its periphery, each two sections of the sectional roller provided with a tape-receiving compartment formed between their contiguous ends, the contiguous ends forming guiding means and constituting the sides of a spool, a tape 'positioned within the tapere ceiving compartment and ixedly secured directly to the auxiliary roller, and means spanning across the compartment and connecting the sections of the sectional roller.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination with brackets, an auxiliary roller engaging and journaled upon said brackets, of a primary roller of less length than and engaging and journaled entirely upon the periphery of the auxiliary roller, said primary roller of greater width than the auxiliary roller and provided with a compartment, the auxiliary roller extending through the center of said compartment and beyond the ends of the primary roller, and blind-lifting means ositioned. within said com artment and edly secured to the auxi iary roller.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination with a support, of a primary roller provided with a compartment, an auxiliary roller of greater length and revolubly mounted within and extending beyond the ends of said primary roller, the ends of the auxiliary roller journaled upon said support, the auxiliary roller extending through the center of said compartment, and blind-lifting means positioned within said compartment and secured to said auxiliary roller.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination with a support, of an auxends upon said support, a primary roller of greater width and supported entirely upon said auxiliary roller, said primary roller of less length than and engaging the periphery of said auxiliary roller, said primary roller comprising a series of sections and a compartment formed between the contiguous ends of each two sections, said auxiliar roller extending through the center of eacii compartment, a tape positioned within each compartment and secured to said auxiliary roller, a strip connecting all of said sections to one side of the longitudinal axis of the primary roller, and means for actuating said rollers.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination of a primary and an auxiliary roller, the primary roller of greater width and less len th than said auxiliary roller, the primary roler journaled entirely upon the periphery of said auxiliary roller, the auxiliary roller extending through the ends of said primary roller, means secured to one of the extended ends of the auxiliary roller for im parting independent rotary movement thereto with respect to said primary roller, and means for actuatin said primary roller.

7. In a device e the character described, the `combination of a roller, comprising seetions, a compartment formed between the contiguous ends of said sections, means connecting the sections only at one side of the longitudinal axis of said roller, an auxiliary roller revolubly mounted within said primary roller and extending through the center of said compartment and beyond the ends of the primary roller, said auxiliary roller constituting the hub of a spool and the contiguous ends of the rimary roller constituting the sides of saicFspool, and blind-lifting means positioned within said compartment and secured to the auxiliary roller.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WALLACE B. HUGHES.

Witnesses:

WALTER. P. DoNALsnN, CEAS. H. STEELE. 

